Much-needed initiative

Early next month, BitSummit will kick off with its first ever event in Kyoto, Japan. From what we've heard we think it's going to be a great start to a Japanese indie game uprising. Bring on the tidal wave!

Our indie scene here? It's great -- better than ever. Indie games are widely available now on every platform. But Japan? Games in Japan come from big publishers, and their shadow obscures the smaller guys. Think about Tokyo Game Show and all of the franchise re-releases the big publishers beat us over the head with every year. Where are all the crazy, innovative, quality Japanese games we crave?

The 1st annual BitSummit aims to get the smaller guys out of the shadows and into the spotlight by bringing together Japanese independent devs, creative types, media, tech providers like Epic, and platform holders like Valve, to one event, in an effort to make things happen.

BitSummit believes that, given the right tools, Japanese independent game developers can thrive. But they neeed help with things like localization and media connections from out West. This first event aims to give them these tools.

BitSummit is the combined powers of Q-Games, Digital Development Management, Active Gaming Media/Playism, and 8-4, Ltd, and their big shindig does down in Kyoto on March 9.

I've heard just a tease of what to expect at BitSummit. For example, it's rumored that Masaya Matsuura, of PaRappa the Rapper fame, will be there. I also know that the amazing Famicom-headed Professor Sakamoto will be performing there -- love that guy!

This is very exciting. You should be excited, too. BitSummit is good for all of us -- smaller developers, platforms, and gamers.

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